A slew of recent car accidents and near-death collisions related to texting while driving has reinforced cell phone use behind the wheel as America’s most urgent public safety issue. Most recently, a young Washington driver was allegedly sending a message when his Dodge pickup veered off the road and and into a wooden fence, sending …
A slew of recent car accidents and near-death collisions related to texting while driving has reinforced cell phone use behind the wheel as America’s most urgent public safety issue. Most recently, a young Washington driver was allegedly sending a message when his Dodge pickup veered off the road and and into a wooden fence, sending a slat through the windshield where his head should be. Last month, a man from Houston admitted to sending this message before driving off a bridge and into a 35-foot ravine: “I need to quit texting because I could die in a car accident.” Despite the obvious risks associated with texting behind the wheel, cell phone use by drivers remains a serious issue in Oklahoma and across the U.S. If you have been injured in a distracted driving car accident in Oklahoma, consult our experienced car accident lawyers at Oklahoma Legal Center to discuss your legal options.
Anti-Texting Laws Called Ineffective
Last week, Alabama became the 39th state to make it illegal to enter text into a cell phone while behind the wheel. In ten states and the District of Columbia, it is considered a crime to pick up your phone at all while driving. Oklahoma is one of 11 states without a ban on text messaging by all drivers though, prohibiting only drivers with permits or graduated licenses from using a handheld device to talk or text while the car is in motion. Although anti-texting laws are still relatively new, some law enforcement agencies are already saying they aren’t effective enough. In most states, laws against texting while driving allow drivers to dial numbers, look at maps and use the phone in other ways, as long as they are not sending a text message. Besides the fact that telling the difference between these two actions on the road is nearly impossible for most police officers, laws such as these highlight the discrepancy between the debate over texting and what’s known about its actual impact on drivers.
Contact an OK Car Accident Attorney Today
Studies have indicated time and time again that using a cell phone while driving reduces concentration and can lead to car accidents, but research has yet to establish a firm estimate on just how many accidents are directly caused by electronic distractions. In Alabama, authorities report that drivers distracted by cell phones or other electronic devices contributed to 1,256 accidents and five deaths in 2010. This statistic is unfortunate, but that same year, alcohol-related accidents led to 279 fatalities in Alabama, and no new drunk driving laws were established. Regardless of what research says though, it’s clear that not paying attention behind the wheel makes driving dangerous, even with modern aids like voice commands and Bluetooth. If you have suffered injuries in an Oklahoma accident caused by another person texting and driving, contact our qualified car accident attorneys at Oklahoma Legal Center today.